Brief communication: Stalagmite damage by cave ice flow quantitatively assessed by fluid–structure interaction simulations

Abstract

Mechanical damage to stalagmites is commonly observed in mid-latitude caves. Former studies have identified thermoelastic ice expansion as a plausible mechanism for such damage. This study builds on these findings and investigates the role of ice flow along the cave bed as a possible second mechanism in stalagmite damage. Utilizing fluid–structure interaction models based on the finite-element method, forces created by ice flow are simulated for different stalagmite geometries. The resulting effects of such forces on the structural integrity of stalagmites are analyzed and presented. Our results suggest that structural failure of stalagmites caused by ice flow is possible, albeit unlikely.